R Speculation

"Why should you? Why would you reduce your pleasure from sailing a boat by being grossly over or under-powered when there's a viable solution to that isse?"

Most popular sports I can think of seek to create a reasonably level playing field - give everyone an equal opportunity. Would even a Sunday football team allow one side 12 players instead of 11 because one side would find it more enjoyable to do so? Would it be permitted for a cricket team to use bats a foot wide because the conditions favour swing bowling and they aren't very good with that. Because to do so would make the activity a laughing stock. It's hard enough trying to create a level playing field in handicap racing with all the issues over PY, a free for all on sail-sizes, that would without doubt favour lighter people wouldn't, imho, be good for the cohesiveness of the class in question or for that matter, sailing as a sport that wants to be taken seriously.

Originally posted by iGRF Has anyone ever put a sym kite on a single hander?

Not yet, but I bet with the twin pole spiros used on 505s and Scorpions etc it would not be too difficult, be one hell of a lot of ropes led back to the helms position though.

Originally posted by Jeepers sailing as a sport that wants to be taken seriously.

It just occurred to me in one of my 'how can I make this EPS better' moments that if I had a pole extended forward from the boom, when square running it could provide the base for a kite hoisted from a washer women style bag in the boat, was just a thought. It would have to be one that works inside out as well so both gybes were covered. Probably wouldn't be much good other than for square running but on small ponds that could be some use.

Well, I've got the day off for decorating purposes, and arguing the toss is so much more interesting ...

do the rules make a crew put up a kite when it's blowing a hoolie? No, but not do so implies that you accept those that do will blow you away, so no advantage.

what about reefing down- should that be banned? Reefing down rarely wins any races in dinghies, just too un-aerodynamic. No advantage.

what about a cut down Phantom sail, or rolling your topper sail around the mast? Same as above.

I used a Number 2 Genoa on a one design keelboat once, should that be chucked out too? Keelboat racing? Not my bag for many reasons one being the number and cost of sails you DO need to be competitive!